Division I

Westerville South (8-2) at Hilliard Darby (10-0)

When these teams played on Oct. 5, Hilliard Darby won impressively 28-14 on the road. Four weeks later, some are still predicting that eighth-seeded South can upset central Ohio’s only unbeaten big school.

“I can see how some people might feel that way,” Darby coach John Santagata said. “They’re an extremely talented football team with some superb skill-position players. In preparing for this game, though, we’ve simply stressed the importance of this being a new game.

“Our focus isn’t about what happened in that game because no games are alike. Playing them earlier in the season does give us a clearer view on what they do, and I’d be lying if I told you we didn’t go back and look through that film. At this point of the season, neither team is going to make drastic changes. We’re only looking for little details that might help us.”

Hilliard Davidson (8-2) at Dublin Coffman (9-1)

Brutally honest and down to earth, coach Brian White isn’t about to declare that Hilliard Davidson will win its rematch with Dublin Coffman. The Wildcats began a six-game win streak after losing to the Shamrocks 33-10 on Sept. 14.

“I’d say that we’re better than we were back then, but are we 23 points better?” he said. “Every team, including Coffman, should be better this many weeks later. In training camp, our guys didn’t accomplish the goals we set out as far as getting better every day. The same holds true for the first four games. For the most part, though, we’ve shown some progress since then.”

White isn’t sure what to make of Dublin Coffman’s 23-14 loss to Upper Arlington in the regular-season finale.

“I’m a guy that believes that nothing good comes with losing,” he said, “but in talking with (Coffman coach Mark Crabtree) on Saturday morning, he felt like maybe they lost a little bit of their edge. In that sense, and knowing what kind of coach he is, maybe I would have rather seen them come in undefeated instead of hungry following a loss.”

Dublin Scioto (8-2) at Olentangy (9-1)

When Olentangy was shifted into the Ohio Capital Conference’s Capital Division this season, coaches from both schools were disappointed that their 15-year-old rivalry would close. The Irish and Braves already had completed their nonleague schedules. But now they have found a new way to renew acquaintances.

“I think this is going to be a really good football game,” Scioto coach Karl Johnson said. “They’re always physical and fundamentally sound. You can say this about almost any game, but I think special teams could play a critical role in the outcome.”

Scioto, which leads the series 8-7, faced four playoff teams, going 2-2. None of Olentangy’s opponents made the postseason.

“We felt like we were going to be a playoff-caliber team, but starting off with Canal Winchester and Dublin Coffman was invaluable, and then winning at Westerville Central in Week 4 was huge because we learned how to finish,” Johnson said. “The difference in going 4-6 to 6-4, and from 6-4 to 8-2, is marginal. We made some good things happen to put ourselves in this position.”

Pickerington Central (7-2) at Pickerington North (9-1)

The regular-season meeting between these teams was more than a month ago, but Pickerington North’s 37-0 rout was a shock. Central had won the first five games in the series.

“That was so long ago, and North was really hitting their stride,” Central coach Jay Sharrett said. “Once again, it will be a big ballgame in town with a big atmosphere, but this time, we have to find a way to turn the tables. The main thing we need to do is move the ball more consistently than we did the first time.”

Central’s big-game savvy played a part in a 28-23 come-from-behind victory over Gahanna to reach the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

“I’m especially happy for the seniors because they worked hard for this and really reached down for something extra when a lot of people didn’t give us much of a chance,” Sharrett said.

Division III

Watterson (7-3) at Bryan (10-0)

Playing one of the most-ambitious schedules in Ohio, Watterson is aided by the opportunity to see multiple styles and teams from around the state. Even so, film study can help only so much.

“The hardest thing in the world to do is compare personnel from one team to the next,” Watterson coach Dan Bjelac said. “Sometimes, you don’t really learn until you’re on the field, and you have to adjust on the fly.”

Bryan scores 44.1 points per game out of a spread formation. It beat three 8-2 playoff teams, all in Division V. Although Watterson’s statistics are not nearly as gaudy, the Eagles played four teams in Division I, two in Division II, two in Division III and two in Division IV.

“I really like this group,” Bjelac said. “It’s sort of an understated group with not many stars, per se, but it’s a close-knit bunch of guys who have gotten good at working together, battling together and finding ways to win close games.”

Also: River Valley (8-2) at Napoleon (9-0-1). River Valley is seeking its first playoff victory after three tries. Napoleon’s tie was against Kettering Alter 0-0 in a game suspended because of a storm. … Granville (9-1) at Dover (8-2). Expect a high-scoring game featuring two accomplished quarterbacks: Granville’s David Fraley (2,291 yards passing) and Dover’s Mason Mamarella (2,432 yards passing, 901 rushing). … Logan Elm (6-4) at Dayton Thurgood Marshall (9-1). Thurgood Marshall scores 55.3 points per game operating out of a run-oriented double wing-T ... Circleville (6-4) at Athens (9-1). Circleville lost its final three games, all to playoff qualifiers. The Tigers went 10-30 in the previous four seasons.

Division V

Liberty Union (8-2) at Wheelersburg (8-2). The driving force for Liberty Union is running back Jacob Basso (1,230 yards rushing, 12 TDs). Wheelersburg is making its 24th playoff appearance, with a 21-22 record.